Valedictorian's 2021 Address

Good morning, and again, welcome to the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2021!

As I look out across the field and into the stands, I see not just our families, friends, teachers, coaches and close community members, I see our biggest fans. I see the teachers that taught us how to tie our shoes and zip our coats (which we had to at least try three times by ourselves before Ms. Manley would rescue us), stand us in line and find our own library book for us. I see the teachers that introduced us to Bill Nye and taught us that science rules, the teachers who promised us that PEMDAS would some day make sense, and the teachers that promised that if we begged our parents just enough we could take home the class crawdad to keep. I see the teachers that taught us how to give a speech, make a PowerPoint, speak Spanish and debate like no others. I see people that cared for each one of us like their own children.

I also see advisors that spent their after-work hours helping us memorize the FFA Creed, create pretend business plans for FBLA competitions that would have, without a doubt in my mind, made millions, and research anything we could dream up in the name of science.

I see coaches that physically moved us into our starting positions for Little Dribblers basketball and flag football; and then the coaches that stood with us in the pouring rain and made six-hour round trips for away games. I see the coaches that taught so many of us that putting in the extra hours can give you the ride of a lifetime and a state championship ring, or three! I also see the bus drivers that got us to those games, which, I have to admit, we literally couldn't have made it without you! 

I see moms (and even some dads) with maybe just a little extra allergies affecting their eyes today. I see brothers and sisters that made some amazing memories with us, some of which our parents and teachers don't need to know about, except for Señora Walter, who somehow knows way too much, and the grandparents, family and special friends that never missed a chance to encourage us.

Finally, as I look ahead of me I see the best class to ever walk the halls of Odessa High. This really is a unique group. It is surprising how much more difficult school is (while) dealing with the uncertainty of Covid. It really does suck when your class schedule gets changed five times in two months, and you don't get told you're having a football camp until a few days before the first practice and everything is complete chaos.

But we all were able to get to school on time every day with somewhat of a smile on our faces, except for Tim and Katreace, who couldn't even make it to second period on time, that is if Katreace even decided to show up. But most importantly, these are the guys and gals that I made so many memories with. Like the time in kindergarten before we could even write, when Ryan accidently chopped Nic's finger off in the bathroom door.

However, when everything was all said and done, Nic had ten working fingers, but we can't forget that one. As well as the time that Ryan broke a window in the basement of the gym with his knee. He was a clumsy child. Or all The Record we would scream band songs on long bus rides for FBLA and, let me tell you, Keith and I can play a mean trumpet duet. Or the time Kaya convinced everyone that Emma was pregnant in like the fifth grade. Or more recently, the time we were debating in Mr. Moffet's class and came to the conclusion that the moon landing was fake. Isn't that right, Jett? Now, I could go on all day about the shenanigans that went down in this class, and I'm sure that the shenanigans still aren't over for this group.

Our class motto is taken from the teachings of the great Yoda, "Do, or do not; there is no try." I have to admit, I learned a fair amount of "don't dos" in my days here, but as we graduate today and walk off this field, let's do. Do make the memories when you can, take the chance when you can, take the hard class. Do work the hard jobs, pull the all-nighters, and eat the fourth double cheeseburger. Finally, do be thankful for this group and never forget one another, and as we look back at our years here in Odessa, just know that, thanks to how this community has shaped us, we will be prepared for whatever life throws our way.